I'm looking to buy a new bandsaw, and I'm hopping someone here has this one that could share their thoughts. Specifically I want a bandsaw between 14 and 18 inches with 2hp or more, a large table, a 4 inch dust exhaust, at least 12 inch resaw and hopefully spend less than 1500. After a lot of research this Jet bandsaw is probably at the top my list, the only negative being the 1 3/4 hp, but it has 13 inch resaw capacity so that's another plus. I have some other jet tools including my lathe and I'm really happy with their products so that another factor. The other option I have considered is the grizzly 17 inch bandsaw, but I have heard some negative feed back from friends about their products. With a 1 3/4 hp bandsaw do you think the machine would bog down while resawing hardwood? My only hang up with jet, is every time I have ordered one of their products the package was completely destroyed as if it was air dropped to me. If any one owns or has operated this jet bandsaw I would love some feedback. Thanks!
Don't be afraid to look at laguna. The 14 SUV fits your ideas with 14" resawn, I think it is 3 hp, blade brake, and two 4" dust ports. It is 240v which might not work for you, but I am very happy with mine. It is listed after the large saws so it doesn't get noticed unless you are looking for it on their site.
I actually looked at that exact model for awhile but the 220V was what turned me away. My house was built in the 50s and probably couldn't handle a 220V plug unfortunately. The Laguna brand looks awesome, maybe I'll do some more research on converting to 220V for it. Thanks!
Looked at Griz. Not impressed. Looked at Jet. Still not impressed. Came to Rikon or Laguna. Then I found out about Harvey. Bought a Harvey C-14. Love it. 3 HP, 14 inch. Super easy to set the guides.
Seriously, do look at getting power to your shop so you can run 3 HP tools. Night and day difference. I put in a 60A sub-panel. So one tool, HVAC, and my 5 HP dust collector can all run. When you consider the cost, remember, dust kills you. New electrical is a lot cheaper than lung disease. Don't believe me? Well I bought my DP from an estate sale from a long time woodworker with no dust collector.
Looked at Griz. Not impressed. Looked at Jet. Still not impressed. Came to Rikon or Laguna. Then I found out about Harvey. Bought a Harvey C-14. Love it. 3 HP, 14 inch. Super easy to set the guides.
Seriously, do look at getting power to your shop so you can run 3 HP tools. Night and day difference. I put in a 60A sub-panel. So one tool, HVAC, and my 5 HP dust collector can all run. When you consider the cost, remember, dust kills you. New electrical is a lot cheaper than lung disease. Don't believe me? Well I bought my DP from an estate sale from a long time woodworker with no dust collector.
Oh, Nothing against the Rikon or Laguna. Nice saws. Differences in the guides. But I like my Harvey. Enough so when I bought a new TS, I bought a C-300. Jet's had a much lighter looking trunnion , less convenient guides, and I read about some history of the upper carriage breaking.
Thanks for info, I'll look into Harvey bandsaws, I have a small dust collector that gets rid of most dust but I do realize how important proper dust collection is and I think your both right maybe it's time to call an electrician. It would probably cost me way more than any one tools to convert but it's probably worth it in the long run. Thanks again
Umm,
No 220/240v in shop and you want 2HP+ on 'standard' 120v circuit; stop the search!!
What want doesn't exist. :-(0)
NEC code requires that motor circuit provide 1.25x the FLC shown in standard tables. Simplified reference here.
A 1.5HP rated motor has 20A FLC at 115v, which requires a 25A 115v circuit.
A 2HP rated motor has 24A FLC at 115v which requires a 30A 120v circuit.
Now there are some overrated 1.75-2HP motors that have name plate FLA less than FLC.
(Do not confuse the two - read the above reference)
With minimal start up load, these over rated motors can be used on standard 20A household 120v circuit; but you will have nuisance breaker tripping, especially if you have voltage drop issues that increase current draw.
Bottom line: you are expending to many brain kilowatt's worrying about motor HP you can not support.
IMHO - The fundamental difference between 1.75 and 2HP is chicken squat. If you want to never worry about band saw power with re-saw, then you want 3HP minimum, preferably 5HP, so you can push a 1-1/4 wide blade, even with a smaller 12-14" cut capacity. Since you don't have 240v power in shop for serious re-saw work, stop worrying about motor HP.
On my Grizzly 2HP G0513; have to feed 10-12" wide aromatic cedar faster than I am comfortable pushing to even attempt bogging down the blade. My G01513 always eats most domestic wood species faster than I want to work. Making same cut on dense fine grain wood like Tigerwood or Rosewood with Janka hardness well over 2000, and then you can bog down the cut with 2HP if you push to hard. BTW - Often when I have to slow down my feed rate on high density woods, it is nothing more indication that my blade is getting dull and needs replaced. With fresh blade, the 2HP saw cuts faster than this old Klutz can manually feed safely.
I have the Grizzly 17" saw you mentioned. Love it, and it comes in many price points. Add more bells and whistles, and the price goes up.
But as Captianklutz stated. No 220v, No 2hp motor.
I own three jet tools, and really like them. 16×42evs lathe, Air Filter, and a 17" drill press.
I looked at the 14" bandsaw back in 2016. but price vs features, and problems others were having with that same model killed it for me. Found the Grizzly then. But in 2019, almost the same story. Price vs features got me my Jet 17" drill press.
I have used a couple Laguna Saws. Very nice.
And while I have not used a Rikon saw, I have read nothing but good about them.
I do worry that Jet quality is slipping. They have been a go to tool for me. Affordable, bang for the buck. But last year as I was looking at a new Dust Collector. I was turned off by how cheaply it was made.
So twice now what I consider my go to brand has failed to impress/convince me to buy.
Seems there are good and bad issues with every brand out there.
Oh, ended up with a Powermatic DC. So far its a tank.
Good Luck.
A neighbor of mine is an electrician and offered to give me an unofficial quote to put in another 220V plug, and it turns out it's going to cost much less than I had been previously told. So that's great!
I have been doing some more research and I think the Harvey C14 is at the top of my list. It has a 3 HP motor, large cast iron table, it's super quiet, cuts straight and smooth, a steel frame and the price is excellent. It says they also offer flat rate shipping which is great. Thanks for the recommendations!
Bradley
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
2.5M posts
96K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to professional woodworkers and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about shop safety, wood, carpentry, lumber, finishing, tools, machinery, woodworking related topics, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!